As you have surely heard, the bureaucracy in Spain is one of the largest on planet Earth. If you are interested in that topic, take a look at this article from El Mundo.
I anticipate that you will run into lots of bureaucratic issues and red tape, but this should not discourage you from asserting your rights. For this reason, to make your fight with the bureaucratic dragons more enjoyable and fun, we have compiled how in 5 steps you can obtain your NIE in a guaranteed fashion.
You are surely reading this because all foreigners who are related to Spain for a multitude of different reasons, must be provided, for identification purposes, with a unique and exclusive personal number called a foreigner identity number. AKA the NIE.
The personal number will be the foreigner’s identifier, which must appear on all the documents that are issued or processed, as well as the procedures that are stamped on their identity card or passport. You should not confuse it with a residence permit or a Golden Visa.
Without further ado, if you want to obtain your NIE quickly, follow these 5 steps:
1) Request an appointment at the Immigration Office
Today it is mandatory to request an appointment on the Public Administrations website to obtain the NIE. Click here to request the appointment: APPOINTMENT FOR THE NIE
The foreigner must appear personally or through representation, from Spain or outside the country.
In Spain: you must appear at the General Directorate of Police and the Civil Guard, at the Immigration Office, or Police Station of the district where you have your address.
Outside of Spain: you must appear at the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office corresponding to your area of residence.
2) Print and fill in the necessary documents
When submitting the application, on the day of the appointment you must provide copies and original documents, among which are requested:
– The EX – 15 application form, which you can obtain on the website of the Spanish government, in the section on the requirements to apply for the NIE.
– Copy of the passport, travel title or registration card, or identity document if the applicant is a citizen of the Union.
– Communicate the economic, professional or social reasons that justify the request.
“All foreign public documents must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which said document has been issued or, as the case may be, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, except in the case in which said document has been apostilled by the competent Authority of the issuing country according to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 and unless said document is exempt from legalization by virtue of the International Convention”.
Source: extranjeros.mitramiss.gob.es
3) Pay the necessary rate (tax)
You must complete the 012 form that corresponds to the NIE fees and proceed to pay the corresponding amount in any financial entity that is authorized for government payments. To do this you can click here: PAYMENT OF THE NIE TAX RATE
Print 3 copies of the form, one for the bank, one for foreigners, and one for you.
At the time this article is being written, the model fee 790 Code 012 that belongs to “Recognitions, Authorizations and Contests” has a cost of €9.64. Which could be modified by the corresponding entity.
4) Go to your appointment
Remember that you must bring the following documents:
- The completed EX-15 application
- The payment of the fee
- Your passport
- A copy of your appointment confirmation
At the end of the appointment, the official will give you a receipt which you must bring the day you pick up your NIE.
5) Look for the NIE
After 5 days, go back to the Immigration Office (Avenida de los Poblados 51 in Madrid) and pick up your NIE.
Remember that if you buy a property in Spain for €500,000 or more, you are automatically eligible to opt for the golden visa, which grants you residence in Spanish territory.
If you need help to obtain your NIE you can write to us and we will gladly answer you. Remember that we can also help you to buy a property safely in Spain, review your lease if you are looking for
Article written in collaboration with Gustavo Gerendas Ciavattone
